Back to Work

I went with Jen to work today - she was under some pressure and asked if I could help with some stuff that was urgently needed to be completed to a deadline. Other staff are off either on leave or sick, so spare capacity was zero.

I must admit, that I was reluctant - retirement has meant the freedom of how I get up, slop around, dress or study at home. Even on those days for my Parish Attachments or Church activities, I am relaxed and casual.

But, I agreed and got up in the old routine and we went to work together, I have perhaps become a little insular in the last few months, as I thought that the workplace was crowded with desks, computers, notice boards and all sorts of IT & Office Machinery. No laptop and freedom to move around with it and to work where I want.

But I was made most welcome, some of the people I had known before, having worked there 25 years ago - others were new to me. It felt strange getting back into a working environment, using networked systems and email (by proxy for Jen) to achieve the target.

I had forgotten how slow a Wide Area Network, using bespoke applications can be, and how frustrating it can be when a report is run and comes up with Zero as the Parameters were not set properly. In the end the aim was achieved and the information produced, collated and emailed to the impatient recipient.

Having been out of the workplace since last August - I have got out of the work habit and perhaps that is to the good - freedom of choice and the financial security to allow it is not given to many, and I realise how fortunate I am to have it.

I had thought about part-time employment, but there is little prospect of that in the current climate - and I am perhaps grateful for that. My quality of life is so much better without the daily travel, work routine and grind that is being on a treadmill with responsibilities for management, funding, people, health and safety and so many other things.

My responsibility is now for my family, perhaps myself and to where God is calling me and willing me to be - working with or in the Church in some form of ministry. God is Great.